There’s much to consider when constructing a mythical, magical, or futuristic world, and one important factor is the foundation myth or backstory. What does the writer need to know? What does the reader need to know? When do they need to know it? How does the backstory impact the characters and the current events on their world? Join us for a discussion on how to effectively craft a backstory and weave it into your tale. Panel hosted by the Association of RI Authors.
Writing the Other – Creating Characters Outside Your Comfort Zone
Writing characters from different backgrounds than our own is both a challenge and an opportunity for authors. In this panel, we will explore the tools needed to write outside our own experiences to create three-dimensional characters. Topics will include the importance of research, the role of sensitive readers, and avoiding harmful stereotypes. Panel hosted by the Association of RI Authors.
Exploring Real World Conflicts in Otherworldly Settings: The Intersection of Storytelling and Morality in Science Fiction
11/3/18 12:15pm – 1pm Fan Panel Room B Writers don’t work in a vacuum. Fiction, especially science fiction, offers an opportunity to explore real world conflicts and moral dilemmas from the safety and distance of another time or place. Are writers obligated to address the pressing issues of our time through our work? How does the news cycle impact our storytelling? What interesting questions are science fiction writers exploring today, either in writing or on the screen? Join us for this thought provoking and timely conversation. Moderated by Tabitha Lord with panelists R. K. Bentley, Christopher Paniccia, D. R. Perry and J. Michael Squatrito, Jr.
With Rhode Island Comic Con now just hours away, here are some helpful hints on surviving a convention: 1. Park at the Providence Place Mall and walk over. Sure there’s parking at Providence Convention Center but why pay $15 when you can pay less for the same amount of time. The Mall is where the food’s at and it’s linked to the Convention Center by a skybridge. 2. Check ‘n’ charge your electronics now and bring back up batteries/cards/charging wires. There isn’t a Best Buy for miles but there are several wireless carrier stores, an Apple Store and a CVS in the mall. If you’re bringing a DSLR with you bring extra cards and batteries because there probably won’t be charging stations. 3. ATMS: Get the money before you leave the house. There tend to be two long lines at conventions: Starbucks and ATMs. Guess which ATM is gonna run out of money first? Right, the one at the con not at your local Walgreens. 4. Comfortable shoes and clothes. Check the weather forecast before you leave, walking around in bundled up clothes in a tightly packed space with a lot of people things tend to get hot and you really don’t want to be dragging a heavy coat around five minutes after you just walked through the door. 5. Generally this where I’d say to have a back up panel but RICC is only 4 years old and the panels are light. 6. Yes, the food is expensive inside the Convention Center, walk back over to the Mall and buy it there. For the ragging Providence Place Mall gets, the restaurants like Dave & Busters are great places to eat at. 6a. Stay hydrated. Get a 24 oz water bottle at the corner store and just refill it for the entire weekend. 7. Download the Rhode Island Comic Con app. Make sure to spell out the full name. It includes maps and a locations of such important things like the bathrooms. 8. Remember to check out Artist Alley for up and coming artists. You never know what you may find. 9. Twitter hashtags of #ricc #ricc2015 #ricomiccon and #rhodeislandcomiccon are probably best to watch just in case. It’s the only way the dealers found out the fire marshals had closed the doors last year since no announcements were made to the con floor. 10. Remember to ask the cosplayers for their pictures and say thank you. I’d point you to the anti-harmashment policy for RICC but I don’t know if they have one. 11. Otherwise, enjoy yourselves and hopefully Altered Reality Entertainment has learned from last year’s mistakes.
(Image taken by Matthew Graves) The third annual Rhode Island Comic Con happened last weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center. I missed the first year, attended the second as a fan and was a dealer at the third and I wish I could recommend it to my friends to make it an annual event. It’s got everything: comic books, movies, artists, authors and tv/movie stars as guests! Nerd Prom in my backyard! And there’s no airline tickets or hotel fees to contend with! You just drive up and walk right in, right? Not exactly.
